Grain-elevator and the like.



W. SUNDBERG.

GRAIN ELEVATOR AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 28, 1918- 1,294,566. Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

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GRAIN ELEVATOR AND THE LIKE.

APPLlCATiON FILED MAY 2a. 1918.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

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Patented Feb. 18,1919.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY 28' 1918-' Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

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APPLICATION FILED MAY28. I918.

Patenfied Feb. 18, 1919.

5 SHEETS-SHEEI 5 J J JJ. I IIIIIIrLIIIIPL R I INVENTOR 77 565m7ro A76672Z5230 E IIIII rjwn w A TTOR/VEI Ink WILLIAM SUNDJBERG, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

GRAIN -ELEVATOR AND THE LIKE.

Application filed May 28, 1918.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM SUNDBERG, a citizen of the United States, and a resident ofChicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain-Elevators and the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates generally to improvements in grain elevators and the like and has particular reference to improvements in methods and means for spouting or distributing grain and other similar materials.

For the sake of simplicity I shall refer herein only to grain elevator construction,

but it will be understood that when the term grain is used, other materials that can be handled in a like manner will be embraced in this term. When the term legs is used in these specifications, it refers to bucket elevators of the type generally used in grain elevators and which, in the grain elevator business, are commonly known as le s.

in every grain elevator there is what is known as a work, working or operating house. Some grain elevators are of the type known as the work house type, in which all of the grain bins are in the work house, there being no storage annex attached; in some large grain elevators, or in grain elevators of certain types, there are also buildings other than the work, working or operating house, which serve the same or similar purpose but which are given a different name (for instance, river house). It is with this part of the grain elevator that this invention is concerned primarily and, therefore, that part only will be considered. The work house or operating part of a grain elevator is used for the purpose of manipulating grain in various ways, as may be necessary in the blending or in the removal of the grain from bins, and the discharging thereof to a number of different points as, for eX- ample, to elevator legs or belt or screw conveyers or other points, or merely for turning the grain over by emptying the grain from the bins and reelevating it again to reduce its temperature.

Heretofore the general installation for accomplishing this purpose has comprised a number of portable spouts, which have been erected from time to time between certain of the bin bottom turn head spouts, discharg- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1919.

Serial No. 237,017.

ing from the bins to the points of discharge as, for example, the grate openings in the first floor. From these grate covered openings fixed spouts have been run to the legs or conveyers.

This system of distributing the grain requires a large amount of labor for the reason that these portable spouts must be knocked down and erected from time to time and also entails many other disadvantageous features which will appear more fully hereinafter.

One primary disadvantage of the portable spout has been that it is impossible to spout grain from certain of the bins to certain desired openings simultaneously for the reason that the spouts would cross each others path and thus interfere one with the other. In many instances, therefore, it has only been possible to spout grain in a single direction, thus entailing great delay and cutting down the efiiciency of the legs or conveyers by keeping one or more of them idle while the other was being run, which has heretofore greatly reduced the flexibility and efiiciency of the whole operating or working house. Also, another disadvantage of this system has been that on account of grain cleaning machines and dust pipes from same, and other obstructions between the first floor and the bin bottom, it has been very difficult and sometimes impossible to spout grain from some of the bins to the desired first floor grating. Another disadvantage has been that it has been diflicult to get around building columns to the desired floor grating.

Another system of spouting grain used at times has consisted in individual spouts be tween bins and to certain points from which short portable spouts were run to the desired point. This system was not only eX pensive and difiicult, in that an individual spout was run from each bin to a point, but also had the objection before mentioned of the portable spouts used therewith crossing each others path and hence preventing a simultaneous routing or spouting of the grain in a number of directions. Furthermore, because of the large amount of spouting required, and because of before mentioned obstructions, it was in some instances impossible to get all of the spouts in on account of lack of space.

The general objects of my invention are to provide a system of spouting grain whereby the grain can be distributed from any of a number of bins to one or more discharge points, with the least amount of spouting, and preferably without any interference of the spouting used to distribute the grain in other directions, and also to reduce the amount of labor required.

My invention consists generally in meth ods and means whereby the above named objects, and other objects which will appear hereinafter, are attained, and my invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate forms of my invention which I consider the best at the present time.

Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the first floor of a work or operating house equipped with spouting embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section (spouting in elevation) substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4 are respectively a side elevation and an end elevation of spouting unit D.

Figs. 5'and 6 are respectively a side elevation and an'end elevation of spouting unit M.

Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a side elevation and an end elevation of spouting unit N.

Elevations of units D, M and N are typical. Elevations of units A, B, C, E, F, G, H, J, L, and K are similar.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of another work or operating house, first floor, equipped with a similar spouting system embodying my invention.

Fig. 10 is a view partly in section and partly in elevation, on the line 1010, of Fig. 9, but showing only spouting units R, S, T, U and V (other units being omitted for the sake of clearness).

Fig. 11 is a sectional elevation showing spouting units W, X, Y and Z. V

Fig. 12 is an end elevation viewed substantially from the line 12-12 of Fig. 9, but showing only spouting units R, S, T, U, W, X and Y (columns and other parts of the building being omitted for the sake of clearness).

I will first describe that form of my invention shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive. Therein 1 represents the work-house grain elevator building provided with a basement 2, first floor 3, and a plurality of grain bins, the bottom outlets of which have been numbered in the plan viewfrom 4: to 4:9 inclusive. The bottomor outlet from each bin, as is best shown in Fig. 2, comprises a hopper portion 50, to which is secured a bin bottom gate 52, and a turn head spout 51, the outlet being controlled by a gate 52 of well known or desired construction.

It is often desirable to spout grain from a given bin to anumber of points, such, for

example, as legs 53, 54, 55, 56 and 57', and it is also desirable to spout from'a number of bins by means of the minimum amount of spouting in a manner such as will enable the simultaneous spouting of grain from different bins to different legs or other points without interference. There are many limitations which make this a difficult task and which have hitherto prevented its practical accomplishment. I have solved this difficult, complex problem in a Very simple manner by what I term a multipleunit spouting system.

This system comprises a numberof units, each unit consisting of a main line from which one or more branches extend, which in turn are provided with feeder or stub lines terminating in openings or heads positioned in such relation to the turn heads of the grain bins as to receive the grain discharged therefrom when'th'eturn heads are positioned over-thereceiving openings. In this manner the least amount-ofspouting possible is not only made to'do the'most'work, but it also accomplishes its purpose in such manner as greatly to increase the flexibility and efliciency of the work house, and greatly to reduce the amount of labor necessary to operate, the house.

The drawings illustrate an actual installation, and to make certain an understanding thereof, such as will enable others skilled in the'art to which this appertains, to construct and use systems embodying my invention, I have given reference characters to all parts, the multiple units-being'given letters A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M and N. Each spout head on each unit is given a designating number associated with the unit letter such as, for instance, A E M etc., so that a mere inspection of the drawings will enable the tracing of any spout or unit.

In order that the proportions may be better understood, it may be stated that the drawings are drawn to a scale of substantially one-eighth inch to the foot.

A few illustrations of the operation of the system, it is thought will be sufi'icient to a complete understanding thereof without further detailed reference to the spouting units. I might here state, however, that the spouting units are preferably formed of sheet metal, and, in every instance, preferably are completely closed except at the ends. This point is of practical importance, for the reason that it prevents the spreading of dust, thus lessening the 'danger of fires, and makmg the first floor more points adequately. Also, by the use of a choke feed, the wear on the spouts is much less. When portable spouts are employed, having the channel formed with an open top, as now in general use, these advantageous features cannot be had.

By the use of this system of spouting, as shown in Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, the following results are accomplished:

Through unit A it is possible to spout grain from any of the following bins to leg 57 :bin Nos. 40, 35, 39, 38, 34, 46, 47 44, 45.

Through unit F it is possible to spout grain from any of the following bins to leg 57 :bin Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

Through unit K it is possible to spout grain from any of the following bins to leg 57 :bin Nos. 12, 13, 14, 15, 22, 23, 24.

This makes a total of 21 bins which can be spouted to leg 57 through units A, F and K.

Through unit B it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 56 bin Nos. 35, 34, 39, 40, 47 45, 46, 38, 44.

Through unit G it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 56 bin Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Through unit L it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 56:- bin Nos. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 13, 26, 2s, 25, 27, 23, 24. i

This makes a total of 27 bins which can be spouted to leg 56 through units B, G and L.

Through unit 0 it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 55: bin Nos. 45, 46, 47, 48, 35, 36, 42, 41, 39, 40.

Through unit G it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 55 bin Nos. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Through unit L it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 55 bin Nos. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 26, 28, 25, 27, 23, 24.

This makes a total of 28 bins which can be spouted to leg 55 through units C, G and L.

Through unit D it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 54 bin Nos. 46, 47, 49, 4s, 42, 40, 41, 35, 36, 37, 43.

Through unit H it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 54 z bin Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11.

Through unit M it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 54 bin Nos. 33, 21, 20, 16, 17,13, 19, 15,29, 31, 30, 32, 25,26, 27, 23.

This makes a total of 33 bins which can be spouted to leg 54 through units D, H and M.

Through unit E it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 53 bin Nos. 37, 36, 41, 42, 43, 49, 48.

Through unit J it is possible to spout rain from the following bins to leg 53 in Nos. 8, 9, 10, 11.

Through unit N it is possible to spout grain from the following bins to leg 53 bin Nos. 16, 18, 17, 19, 20, 21, 33, 31, 32, 29, 30, 26, 28.

This makes a total of 24 bins which can be spouted to leg 53 through units E, J and N.

By the use of this system the following is also accomplished:

From bin No. 4 grain can be spouted to either unit F or G, reaching either leg 57, 56 or 55. i

From bin No. 5 grain can be spouted to either unit F or G, reaching either leg 57, 56 or 55.

From bin No. 6 grain can be spouted to either unit F, G or H, reaching either leg 57, 56, 55 or 54.

From bin No. 7 grain can be spouted to either unit F, G or H, reaching either leg 57, 56, 55 or 54.

From bin No. 8 grain can be spouted to either unit F, G, H or J, reaching either leg 57, 56, 55, 54 or 53.

From bin No. 9 grain can be spouted to either unit G, H or J, reaching either leg 56, 55, 54 or 53.

From bin No. 10 grain can be spouted to either unit H or J, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

From bin No. 11 grain can be spouted to either unit H or J, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

From bin No. 12 grain can be spouted to either unit K or L, reaching either leg 57, 56 or 55.

From bin No. 13 grain can be spouted to either unit K or L, reaching either leg 57, 56 or 55.

From bin No. 14 grain can be spouted to either unit K or L, reaching either leg 57 56 or 55.

From bin No. 15 grain can be spouted to either unit K, L or M, reaching either leg 57, 56, 55 or 54.

From bin No. 16 grain can be spouted to either unit L, M or N, reaching either leg 56, 55, 54 or 53.

From bin No. 17 grain can be spouted to either unit M or N, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

From bin No. 18 grain can be spouted to either unit L, M or N, reaching either leg 56, 55, 54 or 53.

From bin No. 19 grain can be spouted to either unit M or N, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

From bin No. 20 grain can be spouted to either unit M or N, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

From bin No. 21 grain can be spouted to either unit M or N, reaching either leg 54 or 53. I

From bin No. 22 grain can be spouted to unit K, reaching leg 57.

From bin No. 23 grain can be spouted to either unit K or L, reaching either leg .57, 56 Or 55.

From bin No. 24 grain can be spouted to either unit K or L, reaching either leg 57, 56 or 55.

From bin No. 25 grain can be spouted to either unit L or M, reaching either leg 56, 55 or 54.

From bin No. 26 grain can be spouted to either unit L, M or N, reaching'either leg 56, 55, 54 or 53.

From bin No. 27 grain can be spouted to either unit L or M, reaching either leg 56, 55 or 54.

From bin No. 28 grain can be spouted to either unit L, M or N, reaching either leg 56, 55, 54 or 53.

From bin No. 29 grain can be spouted to either unit M or N, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

From bin No. 30 grain can be spouted to either unit M or N, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

From bin No. 31 grain can be spouted to either unit M'or N, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

From bin No. 32 grain can be spouted to either-unit M or N, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

From bin No. .33 grain can be spouted to either unit M orN, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

From bin No. 34 grain can be spouted to either unit A or B, reaching either leg 57 or 56.

From bin No. 35 grain can be spouted to either unit A, B, C or D, reaching either leg 57, 56, 55 or 54.

From bin No. 36 grain can be spouted to either'unit C, D or E,-reaching either leg 55, 54 or 53.

From bin No. 37 grain can be spouted to either unit D or E, reaching either leg- 54 either unit A, B, C or D, reaching either leg 57, 56, 55 or 54.

From bin No. 41 grain can be spouted to either unit C, D or E, reaching" either leg- From bin No. 42 grain-can be spoutedto either unit C, D or E, reaching either leg 55, 54 or 53.

From bin No. 43 grain can be spouted to either unit D or E, reaching either leg 54 or 53.

either'unit A or B, reaching either leg 57 F rombin N0. 45 grain can be spouted to either unit A,-B or C, reaching either leg 57, 56 or 55.

From'bin N o. 46 grain can be spouted to either unit A, B, C or D, reaching'either leg 57, 56, 55 or 54.

From bin No. 47 grain canbe spouted to either unit A, B, C or Dyreaching either leg 57, 56, 55 or 54.

From bin No. 48 grain can be spouted to either unit "C, D or E, reaching either leg 55, 54 or 53.

From bin No. 49 grain can be spouted to either unit :D or 'E, reaching either leg 54 or 53. 1

By the use of this system of spouting, as shown in Figs. .1 to 9, inclusive, it is possible, in reelevating grain, to run all of the legs simultaneously, each-leg receiving grain from-anybin which has a unitofspouting reaching to that bin.

By the useof this system of: spoutingdt is also possible for one man to do all the'labor required to spout grain to all of the legs simultaneously, or otherwise, as all he has to do is'to set the turn head spouton the bin bottom so that when he opens the bin bottom gate it will discharge grain into-the unit of spouting which serves the'leg which he desires to spoutto.

As an example, let us suppose thatwe wish'to spout grain from bin 33 to le 54, and, at the same time, to spout :grain rom bin16 to leg 53 (see Fig. 1). The first operation would be to set the turn head spout on bin bottom 33 to a position as shown in plan by dotted lines. Then the gate on the bin bottom would be opened and the grain would pass through unit M to leg 54. The path it would take can be followed by looking at Figs. 5 and 6, which show the elevaregulate the feed gate on the elevator leg.

A typical leg feed gate is indicated by Nos. 95 and 96 in Fig. 12. The aforementioned operations would also have to be performed to spout grain from bin 16 to leg 53, the grain passing through unit N, elevations of which are shown in Figs. 7 and 8.

Suppese we were nowspouting grain'to leg 54 and to leg 53, as before mentioned, and we now, and at the same time, wished to spout grain to legs 57 56 and 55 from bins 47, 44 and 45 respectively. The only labor required to do this would be to go through the operations as before mentioned, to spout grain from bin 33 to leg 54, the grain, inthis case, passing through units A, B and O-respectively.

If the well-known system ofspouting by the means of portable spouts from the bin bottom turn head spouts to gratings in the first floor were used, it would require much labor to erect and take down and move the portable spouts around again, and the same results could not even then be accomplished, by reason of the fact that oftentimes the portable spouts would not pass each other, thereby keeping one or more legs idle while the. other or others were being run. If the well-known system of using an individual fixed spout from each bin bottom turn head spout to a convenient height above the first floor were used, so that from there a short portable spout could be made to serve several floor gratings, the flexibility of the house would not be as great because the short portable spouts would not in all cases pass each other. By using an individual spout as before mentioned much more spouting would be required, the cost would be greater and the results less.

As another example, suppose we wished to spout grain simultaneously, or otherwise, from bins 12, 15, 27 and 26 to legs 55, 57, 54 and 53 respectively. The only work required to accomplish this would be to set the bin bottom turn heads, open the bin bottom gates and regulate the leg feed gates as before mentioned, the grain passing through units L, K, M and N respectively.

In all cases, it is understood that the leg, or belt or screw conveyer, as the case may be, must be started before spouting is commenced.

In all cases it is also understood that the spout heads must be made large enough so that when grain is spouted into them from the turn head, the grain will not pass over the top or sides.

Referring to Figs. 9 to 12, inclusive, let us suppose that it is desired to spout grain from certain of the bins to either the shipping leg No. 58, or to the belt conveyer No. 97, simultaneously. By the use of my system the following results are accomplished:

Through unit B it is possible to spout grain from any of the following bins to shipping leg No. 58 :--bin Nos. 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66.

Through unit II it is possible to spout grain from any of the following bins to shipping leg No. 58 :-bin Nos. 79, 80, 72, 78, 71, 77,70, 76. 7

Through unit V it is possible to spout grain from any of the following bins to shipping leg No. 58 :bin Nos. 67, 73, 68, 74,

Through unit X it is possible to spout grain from any of the following bins to shipping leg No. 58 :-bin Nos. 85, 93, 84, 92 91.

Through unit Y it is possible to spout grain from any of the following bins to shipping leg No. 58 :bin Nos. 82, 88, 83,

Making a total of 32 bins which can be spouted to shipping leg No. 58, through units R, U, V, X and Y.

Through unit S it is ossible to spout grain from any of the dbllowing bins to belt conveyer No. 97 :--bin Nos. 64, 63, 62, 61.

Through unit T it is possible to spout grain from any of the following bins to belt conveyer N o. 97 :-bin Nos. 72, 71, 70, 69.

Through unit W it is possible to spout grain from any of the followin bins to belt conveyer N0. 97 :bin Nos. 78, 7, 76, 75.

Through unit Z it is possible to spout grain from any of the following bins to belt conveyer No. 97 :bin Nos. 84, 92, 91, 90, 83, 89."

Making a total of 18 bins shown which can be spouted to belt conveyer No. 97 from the right hand side of floor gratings Nos. 98 and 99 through units S, T, W and Z.

On account of lack of space I have not shown all of the bins which could also be spouted to bell conveyer No. 97 from the left hand side of floor gratings Nos. 98 and 99, but probably another 18 bins could be spouted from the left hand side, making a probable total of 36' bins.

It will also be noted that it is possible to spout grain from any bin shown, to either the shipping leg or the belt conveyer simultaneously, which we suppose is desired.

The description of the working of the system previously described in Figs. 1 to 8, inclusive, also applies to the working of the system in Figs. 9 to 12, inclusive, and the same benefits and results are obtained, the only diiference being that at the discharge end of units S and T, U, V, X and Y, and Z, one short portable spout is used to complete the connection to the floor gratings which, in turn, spout to the shipping leg or belt conveyer as shown in Fig. 12.

This disclosure will readily suggest to others skilled in the art to which this appertains, various modified structures whereby the substantial objects and purposes of my invention may be attained, and for this reason I do not wish to be limited to the exact constructions shown and described except only as may be necessary by limitations in the hereunto appended claims.

In all cases it is understood that the spouts must be pitched at least at an angle sufficient for the grain to flow satisfactorily.

In all cases it is also understood that all spouts are to be supported as may be necessary.

By the use of this system it is also possible to blend the grain from the diiferent bins reached by a unit or number of units of spouting which ultimately reach the same sired. For example, it is possible to blend grain from bins Nosr i 5, 6, 7 ,and 8 and bins Nos. 40, 35, 39, 34, 38, i7, 46, 45 and 44 through units F and A, Whose ultimate discharge point is leg No. 57.

This could not be accomplished by, the old methods of spouting.

I claim 1. A grain elevator Work house, or building of like character wcomprising. a plurality of grain bins having discharge openings, points of delivery for the grain, and a plurality of multiple-unit spouts connecting. said bins and said delivery points,. each unit serving a number of bins, and turn head spouts onthe grainbin*bottom,l swing able to discharge into a plurality of spout units.

2.111 a grain elevator Work house, or

building of like character, thecombination of a plurality of grain bins having dis charge-openings, points of delivery for. the grain, and a plurality of multiple-unit spouts connecting said bins and said delivery points, each unit serving a number of bins, and means oneach grain bin operableto dischargeinto a plurality. ofspoutlunits- Intestimony whereof, I have hereunto set myhandthisv21st day of May, 1-918. WILLIAM SUN DBERG.

Copies of this patent-may be obtained for five centsveacmcby addressing the (Commissioner of. Patents, Washington, D. G. 

